Until yesterday, the Queen was looking forward to entertaining some 50 family members for her annual Christmas lunch at Windsor Castle on December 21. [However, after more than 78,000 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the UK on December 15, the Queen "regrettably" made the decision to cancel the event as a "precautionary measure. A royal official told the Daily Mail, "There is a belief that it is the right thing to do for all concerned."

Hours before the cancellation was confirmed, royal expert Camilla Tominey said she did not expect the queen to cancel the lunch altogether. 'We thought the Queen was going to have a Christmas party for her relatives in Windsor on Tuesday,' she said."

"Then she is going to Sandringham for the traditional Norfolk celebration. But apparently she's wavering now, as we all are," added Tominey. 'Maybe we'll think about the invitees and if people don't feel comfortable coming, then we'll make a decision.'

As of December 14, the Queen was adamant about her plans to go ahead with the luncheon. Since it is at Windsor Castle, it will be fairly easy for her to distance herself socially if necessary," a source told The Sun. 'The Queen doesn't want anything to get in the way of a family event like this.'

The Christmas lunch was canceled last year as well, and the Queen and Prince Philip spent a small final Christmas together in Windsor, the first for the monarch without her late husband, who passed away in April.

The Royal Family still plans to celebrate Christmas in Sandringham as well, but those plans remain in limbo as the COVID situation develops.